UNI football vs. North Dakota State: Time, TV, live stream, point spread, 3 keys to the game

CEDAR FALLS — After a 34-7 win against Youngstown State in its Missouri Valley Football Conference opener, No. 12 Northern Iowa (3-1, 1-0) travels to No. 5 North Dakota State (4-0, 1-0) on Saturday.

Picked second in the MVFC’s preseason poll, the Bison are coming off a 16-10 win at North Dakota last week. NDSU trailed the Fighting Hawks, 7-3, after the first quarter and 7-6 at halftime. But a Jake Reinholz 30-yard field goal and 3-yard touchdown run by quarterback Quincy Patterson sent the Bison past UND.

The Panthers trail in the all-time series 28-26 and have lost seven straight to NDSU.

Here’s three keys for UNI’s rivalry game against the Bison:

1. Down and distance

NDSU’s FCS-leading run game — 317 yards per game — has been so productive that quarterback Quincy Patterson has attempted just 42 passes this season. A weak non-conference schedule of Albany, Valparaiso and Towson played a large role in Patterson’s lack of pass attempts, but it’s obvious that the Bison’s MVFC opponents will be doing their best to put the Virginia Tech transfer in must-throw down and distances going forward.

As a Hokie and a Bison he has yet to demonstrate the ability to win games with his arm. With that in mind, UNI’s ability to create second- and third-and-long situations is key No. 1.

2. Have yourself a Day, Theo

With two starts and 10 quarters of action under his belt, and a rivalry game up next, the training wheels should be off UNI quarterback Theo Day.

It doesn’t seem offensive coordinator Shawn Watson has watered down his offense for the Michigan State transfer, but any hesitancy to put the ball in his hands and trust him to make a throw is an approach that won’t work against NDSU.

Day has had weeks to grow his rapport and timing with his receivers and Watson has had the same amount of time to refine his game plans and play-calling to his strengths. The Panthers will need Day’s best performance yet to pull off the upset.

3. Extra special teams

NDSU’s 23-20 win earlier this year in the spring season was, in part, made possible by Christian Watson’s 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second quarter. The Bison took a 7-6 lead on his return TD and never looked back.

In what’s become such a closely contested rivalry, field position and special teams play has many times made the difference in this series. It’s likely whichever team executes special teams best will win. It’s also worth considering that a special teams trick play of some sort could be a game-breaking ace up the sleeve for the Panthers or Bison.

UNI at North Dakota State

Kickoff time: 1 p.m. CT

Line: North Dakota State -6.5

TV: none

Live stream: ESPN+

Prediction: NDSU 27, UNI 20